I had it all planned out, drafted and all. I wanted to share a post about core. Heck, even the kiwi spent part of his weekend taking pictures for his “foundation” routine. Yes, we had a plan. He was going to share his routine and then I was going add it to my core post. Brilliant! Go TEAM COTTER.
And then I tried to “fix” a few things and add more plugins/widgets to his site for him. I call this “OVER FIXING” syndrome. Well, I ended up deleting the whole post by installing a faulty plugin. To top it off, I also crashed his site. Ha! Death of the white screen.
Luckily, he’s pretty easy going so he didn’t care. But I did! Why did I try to fix what was working just fine before? Why did I try to tidy up what probably was better left, untidy?
Read this devotional.
And it hit me. I have so many untidy spaces that I often want to fix up or just delete. But maybe it’s time to embrace the untidy and real places. That’s pretty bold, yes?
What if we didn’t try to OVER fix or meals? You know, the “no filter needed” meals? But instead, kept it simple, delicious, and nourishing? Rice, and lentils and curry. Ugly, but good.
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What if we stopped trying to OVER fix our health? Maybe we are on the right track anyway, why overcomplicate? Shouldn’t we just learn to keep it simple and enjoy it?
Now, you know I am all about gut health and healing, but I also have learned that FOOD shouldn’t consume our every thought and stress us out more, yes? I’m taking my own advice here.
What if we stopped trying to fix our schedules and cram everything in? What if we were able to get stuck in more good moments? No need to delete those!
What if we stopped trying to fix or redo the past? What we should have done or could have done?
What if we started MAKING things new today?
What if we stopped trying to change each other? In our marriages, relationships, etc.? What if we didn’t try to delete the what GOD created that person (including ourselves) to be?
There’s my thinking out loud, a day early but that’s okay, I won’t fix it.
Let’s embracing the UNTIDY! No delete or fix it button necessary.
😉
Cheers,
LC
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I have the OCD syndrome, which can sometimes be mistaken for the over fixing syndrome. I have learned to accept and embrace my need, in certain spaces and situations, to have things just so, and I’ve also learned how to relax when things don’t go according to plan. Balance right.
Also when it comes to food, simple is often the best.
I can relate to that!! Food included. Acceptance
What if we didn’t try to delete the what GOD created that person (including ourselves) to be?
This…all this…I am constantly trying to fix myself. Instead, I need to focus on loving the person God created me to be. He doesn’t make mistakes. It’s time to recognize and appreciate who He created!
Yes yes, amen to that ashley!
Ungh I’m a total fixer when it comes to just about everything. This is a great reminder that sometimes the best things in life are the best because of the way they are, imperfections and all 🙂
Amen? I have been guilty both literally wih my blog and metaphorically with life. I was just reading an article about parenting that said the same thing, chill and embrace or imperfections!
So true, chica!! This can definitely go for so many things…but for me it’s particularly with little trivial things, like art/blogging/photography related, etc.
But I’m learning that with relationships, it’s always best to just be like, ehhhh I can’t change his/her habit or ways, so I’ll just pray and God will bring change if it’s His will. And bam! The next week that person is like, “I felt convicted to _____ so I’m changing ___.” ^_^ lol, but really? We are always the ones who need to look at ourselves first, right?
This is so great and encouraging! Thank you!
thank you for reading!
Love this! Really needed to read this today. thank YOU!
so glad friend. xxoo
Brilliant my friend! So closely related to an upcoming post. Great minds ha!
Ugly food tastes better! I love brown food – we ate Indian last night in Switzerland. Not gorgeous, but yum!
I absolutely LOVE this lady. ‘Fixing things’ can be harmful or unnecessary – enjoying the RAW and simple version – love it!!
This post speaks to me!! I have definitely reformed my ways in terms of being so Type A and needing things to be perfect or better but it definitely pops up from time to time.
In terms of blogging there’s a lot I want to do to fix and change my blog but then I think about how much time and headache it may take and for right now I just think NAH 😉 hehe call it laziness at its finest.
love the part about getting stuck in the moment 😉
totally with ya on stop trying to fix things, something we sometimes struggle with but have got a lot better
Such a GREAT post! I love this! I feel I am constantly trying to fix things and you are right! Over complicating and over doing not only waste time but it is just not worth it!
amen to that!
I love this Lindsay!
Ohhh you. Don’t ever try to fix yourself because you’re just perfect as is. I used to devote so many hours a day to trying to think up the perfect meals because I thought that’s what would make me the healthiest, and the funny thing is that all the stress from constantly worrying about food ended up making me unhealthier than ever. IT wasn’t until I eased up and embraced an imperfect diet that I started to get healthier. Crazy how that works.
PS – remember back in the day when it used to be the blue screen of death? Boo hiss.
no changing, no fixing. Corny cotter forever!
I definitely tend towards over-fixing as well. Parenting as taught me to try and leave things a little imperfect. It’s not only a good lesson for my children, it also frees me from having to be that mom who stays up late at night putting the ‘finishing’ touches on her child’s science fair project… 😉
Beautiful! I’m definitely guilty… love this reminder to let things go sometimes… and just not care! There’s something so freeing in that concept.
Ha! That should have been “so with YOU girl.” Makes more sense 🙂
I am so with your girl, especially that fixing the schedule thing. Sometimes we just need to let life happen (and that feels so good!)
Oh i love this. UH ya I think we all have a part in our life that we try to “over fix”, deciding to let it be sometimes seems harder!
Ahhh, the great “what if.” Lovely post – true and heartfelt.
I so love this post and that last quote, Lindsay! Here’s to embracing the not so perfect and new beginnings!
AMAZING POST LADY!!!! Like for real. I think your words will resonate with so many bloggers. We tend to be a crazy perfectionist bunch eh? The last year of my life has been all about letting things go and watching where the chips fall. It’s been stressful at times but I’m coming to see that life still goes on when you don’t try to fix or control it, and often in the best kind of way. Thanks for the reminder!
yes, sometimes we need to be LESS perfect and more messy! realness
Yes! I love it. I’ve really stopped trying to fix myself lately. Everything that has been going on made me question myself and what I could have done more etc. Now I’m learning to accept me again and really stop trying to change to be what other people need.
Gosh I love this. That devotional was so sweet — her couples shot is one that I would admire and go out to emulate (as she did with others’). It’s funny how we look at our “mess” when others look at us and see nothing but beauty..etc.
And what you write here about making new things.. AMEN to that!
YES I constantly try and fix and it is really not good because mt toolbox is full of really toxic tools that don’t really fix anything.
#vices
Thanks CC!
miss you! glad to hear your “voice”
My mantra for this year is “positive and peaceful”. I am working on embracing where I am now, and not stressing so much about things I can’t control/fix. It is a work in progress but I am getting better!
I needed to read this today. Thanks!!
What a great post! I think it’s hard for many people, myself included, to be happy with things and not want to constantly change. Being happy with yourself helps to make you feel happier in general.
amen amen friend!
Oh yes, I am queen of overfixing and over analyzing everything! Luckily, like the Kiwi, Dan doesn’t get flustered at the stuff that flusters me so he keeps me balanced and vice versa!
Sorry about your deleted post, been there done that, and you can’t help but feel your jaw hit the floor when you realize!
Love the last part about embracing untidy- YES! Well, yes to it all really!
I might just make a goal of the week to not try to fix something unless absolutely necessary!
Happy hump day!
Oh yes, this is me. Especially since my fiance was diagnosed with UC, I’ve been devouring any information I can find, trying to find ways to “fix” him. I am always trying to come up with solutions for things. I get stressed and anxious if the house is too messy, as well. I was just thinking about all of this yesterday, so it’s funny timing that you posted this 🙂
I adore this, friend. I need to quit this too. Let stuff BE. Let ME be. Let my schedule be. Just let go and let it roll, really. and stop trying to fix everything all the time. We aren’t meant to live that way. XOXOXO
Ha! I totally laughed at the deleted post only because he was ok with it. I skype with my mom on a regular basis and my husband is always trying to “fix” the camera or the sound or the internet connection and every time he does this, we get disconnected. My mom and I just laugh 🙂 I definitely notice, with my food especially, that if I go with what I know works for me but don’t let it consume my thoughts, my entire body is happier.
This post! PERFECT! Thank you for that AMAZING reminder this morning! You are such a light! I always always always love reading your posts!
When I do get the “over fix-it syndrome”, my life spirals down in darkness. It happens, I like to think it happens to most of us. I’ve gone in and out of this syndrome throughout my life. I also need to step back from the people who are obsessed with fixing things–it’s draining to be around that kind of energy.
You are a genius, and never fail to make me think – thank you! I certainly don’t need to stop over fixing my food beauty (in fact, it could use a little more attention :)), but everything else most certainly applies. Just came across a little quote today that said “sometimes you need to just stop and look in the mirror and see how beautiful you are” and I think this applies perfectly – no need to over fix, just do you! <3
Ugh blog stuff sucks! I’m in IT and I feel like it should be simple bit it never is and it really annoys me. I just want to blog and not have to deal with the technical stuff. I’m a type A so I always want things to be perfect. It makes me crazy! Good news is my injury and Moms heart surgery taught me to relax and let go more instead of letting it stress me out. Think I just got an idea for another blog post.
I was just thinking today that I really needed to get more creative with my food. I usually attempt simple but realize that simple isn’t always pretty and doesn’t really make people think they should try it. But really, simple is best – it’s the way food was intended to be – simple and natural. Great post!
I have quit trying to FIX other people but not me! hahaha
The lady who is our apartment building manager likes to say ‘you can’t fix stupid’ —
Love your post, as ALWAYS!
Amen sista! I have really found beauty in my messes lately. I feel like we work so hard to be the best of the best of the best only to forget that we are already the best at being us. Ya know? I prefer raw realism. Sure, I love the dreams and the striving to be better, but in these moments that are good and real, those are the real moments where we are truly ourselves.
PS, I LOVE that pic of you and your niece. So precious. <3
oh yes, i totally know! and i get you!! cause you get me. <3
Oh gosh, a thousand times yes! When you think about it, the amount of time trying to over-fix or perfect in any situation is mostly wasted. Just when you think everything is perfect, things get messy again. Life is messy, time to learn to enjoy the ride! xo
Ahhh I’m the same way! I love this post because it speaks to me in so many ways. Why fix what’s not broken?!
Aaaaamen sister! Thanks for another great reminder. Because of my perfectionistic ways, I tend to want to “over fix” things when they aren’t even necessary. It just causes more stress and frustration, so what’s the point?!
Love this post! I’m admittedly a natural-born fixer, always working to improve myself, my marriage, my family, the list goes on and on. Sometimes that can be a good thing but not-so-much when it adds stress to my life. Thanks for sharing your heart today on this; sometimes the best posts are the unplanned ones 🙂
i am the same way friend. we need to look at what fixes bring us good and JOY
What a great post! I definitely find myself over-fixing things. Why do I think everything needs to be perfect, better, best? Because what that really means is that what I have isn’t good enough, and that just isn’t true!
well said friend. that isn’t true, because you are MORE than good enough!
So…did you write this for me? I totally tend to try to overfix things because I think that it will make it all better but usually I just make a big mess! Totally me right now.
i wrote this for US ALL! 😉
Ahhh I needed this so badly right now–thank you!! I think we are ALL guilty of this so don’t feel bad, but you’re so right.. why fix something that’s working just fine?
YES…. I am so guilty of this. I really need to pay attention to the don’t fix it if it isn’t broken adage 🙂
i feel ya friend!
Oh I love this post! We overthink things so many times instead of keeping it simple. It just adds more frustration and stress when we need to learn to relax and enjoy the things around us!
LOVE!!!!!!!!!!!! Well, I have the ugl food mastered, that is for sure – I never fix that or myself on IG. I may cut off my head but everything else is no filter… and like you said, accept things. I was really having trouble with social media lately – feeling like I had to be a certain way, not smart enough or not “something enough”. Even FB threads can do that to you. I am just going to say that I am what I am & I know obviously this is not enough for some on social media but I am moving on anyway… Thank y u fro this Lindsay. I may move on from SM just for my own sanity though & to feel more that I am enough but I will not disappear completely.. 🙂
keep me posted!! i’m here to support you either way!
I love this – so very true about “over-fixing” syndrome. I think I try to do that kind of thing way to often and it rarely works out the way I want it, too (sort of like your white screen).
Thank you for sharing this – I love the Bold Blogging and I’m going to start trying to leave more things as they are – no fixing necessary!!!
Ahhhhhh this hit me, you know in that spot where it makes your throat a little bit too tight because you know it’s true. I’m trying on my version of this right now, and damn it’s hard, but worth it 🙂
making things new – LOVE it!
Yes! I love this post Lindsay. Seriously, it’s so hard to stop trying to “perfect” everything…when in reality, nothing is wrong. We just end up overanalyzing everything. Simplicity is truly the best way to nourish our bodies, minds, and souls. Sending lots of love your way!
Oh Lindsay! You did it again! Talked straight to my heart! I am definitely guilty of this!!!! You are so right, we are so obsessed with making things appear perfect, that we can become lost in it. I know I get so stressed out about trying to keep on top of everything, that I do miss a lot of moments. I am hoping I can detox now I am finished with classes!
Great post! Over-fixing syndrome is a very real thing!
too real! haha
Oh my goodness I love this!!! I am constantly trying to fix things too, but you are so right, I just need to stop! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Amen!
i have this… and i need to FIX my overfixing! Thank you for speaking truth friend! xoxo
Hahaha I hear you!!! I’ve had to learn to just relax and accept things won’t always be 100% perfect, because if I waited for perfection, nothing would ever get done!
Yes yes yes!!! It is those untidy spaces that our lives live!!! I try so hard when we are having guests to hide those spaces but thank you for challenging me to embrace them!!! I will be printing this and reminding myself of it often!!!
go for it friend!
Such great food for thought! I’m definitely a control freak so I can totally identify with this. Sorry to hear about the tech difficulties! Speaking of which, I’ve been resisting updating to the new version of WordPress because I’ve heard about so many bloggers having problems with it. GAH! Anyways, I love the deeper message here. Have a lovely day, friend! 🙂
I am the queen of this! I have a tough time letting go of control in just bout every aspect of my life. You’re right–letting go is maybe the right thing to do now and then!
I have this syndrome on some things but not on others (cough blog, cough). Lots of mess around here. Priorities, right?
right on!!
Over fixer, over thinker, over doer…I’ve got it. Some days I just embrace the whoops and others I’m in fixer mode.
YES YES YES YES YES YES
my life is so so so messy
and thats ok.
Im not fixing.
Love this! I think we all have areas that we over fix and over think :). It can be harder to go with the flow!
This is a perfect post. I love the idea of not fixing and embracing the untidy!
I will forever try to fix my husband’s habit of throwing laundry all over our bedroom like he’s a frat boy. HA! But on a serious note, you are right, some things are better left alone. I hope you are having a happy Wednesday! 🙂
ha ha i can relate
Love it! I’m a chronic over-fixer. With my work especially, I can get caught up with being a perfectionist – and it definitely holds me back sometimes. Today I will embrace life’s imperfections!
woohoo! embrace the mess!
I love this, very thought provoking 🙂
I am working on a post about life changes and I started thinking about how we are always changing stuff (like over fixing). Yes, there is a time and place for change, it just isn’t in our everyday lives. I get it (now).
well i can’t wait to read it! as always
YES times 100. I know we both agree that over fixing AND over thinking causes unnecessary stress- and usually the most simple of things produce the best results! Great post!
over thinking leads me no where! amen!
YES I totally have this syndrome and I loved reading this post. My food pictures are HEINOUS but you know what, they are YUMMY, so I’m going to embrace it and move on scarfing it down!
the uglier the better sometimes. haha